Meat tenderizer



United States Patent MEAT TENDERIZER Leland A. Underkofler, Woodcliif Lake, N .J., assignor to Miles Laboratories, Inc., Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana No Drawing. Application January 27, 1958 Serial No. 711,148

7 Claims. (Cl. 99-222) This invention relates to meat tenderizing compositions and particularly to a combination of enzyme systems which has outstanding stability and outstanding utility for the tenderizing of animal tissues. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of two or more enzyme systems, each system having particular tenderizing effect and a diluentstabilizer.

Briefly stated, the compositions of this invention comprise a mixture of two enzyme systems and a diluent which serves to stabilize the composition againstactivity degradation or loss of potency at elevated temperatures. One of the enzyme systems used has activity in the reduction or softening of the collagen and elastin which is found in the connective tissue in meats but has little or no activity against muscle fiber. This enzyme system is exemplified by bromelain, an enzyme which is found in plants of tropical origin. The other enzyme system used has an appreciably lesser effect on the collagenous or elastic fibers, but is very active in the reduction or softening of muscle fiber. This enzyme system is selected from the group of proteolytic enzymes of microbial or plant origin, such as the fungal or bacterial proteases, and the like.

The advantage of using a combination of enzyme systems which act on separate and particular portions of the animal tissue represents a substantial advance over prior art formulations.

The diluent material which demonstrates the completely unexpected and surprising stabilizing effect is selected from an artificial group which consists of lactose, maltose, sucrose, and glucose. This class excludes other sugars of similar character. The lack of utility as a stabilizer of other sugars such as fructose and galactose, which is completely surprising and unexpected, is believed to be due to molecular configuration and not to any chemical reactivity. Of the diluent-stabilizers operable, lactose is preferred and is contemplated in the preferred embodiment of this invention.

The meat tenderizer compositions of this invention are prepared by blending together by any convenient means the enzyme systems with the sugar in a dry powder form. The components are adjusted so that there is a balance of activity of the mixture of enzymes to result in the desired activity per unit of the blend. It is preferred that each gram of the final composition have from 8 to 12 units of activity per gram of composition, the potency depending, however, upon the degree of tenderizing activity required. Operable compositions have been prepared by combining sufficient bromelain to furnish, on a potency basis, from 25% to 75% of the total enzyme activity, sufficient fungal protease to supply from 75% to 25% of the total activity, with sufficient lactose to result in a final formulation of the desired potency, that is, from 8 to 12 viscosity units/ gram.

, Preferably, the enzyme systems are assayed according to the Standard Viscosity Method of Assay as described by R. F. Nickerson in the Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, volume 47, page 165 (1952). Briefly, this method determines the solubilizing effect of a unit quantity of the enzyme on a gelatin solution of standard pH and viscosity. The potency of the enzyme is thus reported in viscosity units per unit quantity. One viscosity unit or unit of activity is defined as that amount of activity which when employed under the conditions described produces a rate of increase of relative fluidity of 1% per second. It is this standard of activity, or potency, by which the compositions of this invention are described.

Set out below in tabular form are experimental data illustrating the surprising and unexpected stability of v In formulating the compositions referred to below, the enzyme systems were assayed in accordance with the Standard Viscometric Assay Method described above. Since a potency of about 0.09 to 0.11 viscosity units per ml. of final solution was required in order to read the potency on the Ostwald-Fenske-Cannon viscosimeter used in the determinations, the amount of each enzyme system required to result in a potency of 0.05 viscosity unit per ml. of solution was calculated based on the assayed potency of each enzyme system. These amounts were then admixed and suflicient diluent-stabilizer was added to give the desired percentage composition.

In the data set out in Table I below, compositions were prepared in which the variant was the diluentstabilizer. Since sodium chloride or common salt has been widely used as a diluent-stabilizer in the prior art compositions, this material was compared for'its stabi lizing effect with two examples of the stabilizers ofthe instant invention. A control was run which contained no stabilizer. The tests were run at C. and samples were withdrawn at intervals of 30 minutes and the Standard Viscometric Assay performed. The results are reported as percent of the original activity of the composition. 1

An examination of the data of the table above shows the completely unexpected results that are obtained with the compositions of this invention. When stabilized with either glucose or lactose, the enzyme system retains after 60 minutes from 17% to 28% and after minutes from 10% to 30% more activity than the control, and from 13% to 24% and from 6% to 25%, after 6.0 and 90 minutes respectively, more activity than with the prior art diluent.

Using the same enzyme formulation as described above, several dilferent stabilizing materials were tested in 5% concentrations in stability tests run at 60 C. Again the stability tests were made at time intervals, in these experiments at intervals .of .10 minutes. The data are quoted in percent of the original .activity remains after the lapse of the time interval.

3 Table II [Stability at 60 0. (percent original activity] from to 1 inch in thickness. All steaks were lightly coated with a bland cooking oil just prior to cooking. The broiling equipment, gas fired, was preheated for 15 minutes prior to use.

Time (min) Stabilizer (5%) 5 A solution of the desired amount of a composition according to this invention was prepared by adding the composition to tap water and stirring. Steaks were completely immersed in the solution for approximately 2 22.8 minutes, drained for approximately 5 minutes, and either 3%: 3 frozen or cooked immediately at a uniform temperature; The composition used had the following formulation: 19:8 Bromelain "gm..- 5.2 a. Lactose 3 7 Fungal protease m1 48.2 Lactose m 853.6 In this table there is shown again the unexpected stab1- g lizing effect of the compositions prepared according to T otal 907.0 thelnventive concept. It will be seen that a decided adgm :vantage in stability is obtained with all sugars excepting Potency 861 fructose and galactose. The reason for the lack of utility 943 of these sugars is not known, but it is suggested that mo- 20 vlscoslty units lecular configuration has some bearing on the ability of Table V the sugar to stabilize the system.

d k To determme the optlmum concentratlon of the P [In this series of tests steaksiggggaegetleytll as described above an coo ed ferred stabilizer, a series of stability tests were run varying the amount of the stabilizer composition. The re- Amount f Cooking time sults reported in percentage of original activity after a Results stated time interval are set out in Table III below. of gater 0 1 Table III o None 7'30" 450 Tough-undesirable. ty at 60 (p orlglnal activitwl 0.5 oz 7'30" 450 Good caramelization, good taste, significantly more tender than control. 1.0 oz 7'30 450 Good caramelization, perfect color, per- Time feet taste, excellent tenderness. Percent lactose 1.5 07 7'30 450 Overall excellence, more tender than above with no mushiness.

100 37.4 29.5 25.2 Table VI igg g-g [In this series of tests steaks were treated as described above, irozen, 100 5 2 5 and stored for 30 days prior to cooking] Amount of Cooking time From the data of Table III above, 1t appears that the tenderizer Results optimum concentration of the stabilizer lies within the Per gaum e of water At F. range of from about 3.5 to 7.5%, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5%, and the preferred embodlrnent of this inven- None 450 Tough undesimble tlOn S0 contemplates. 0.5 oz 1130 450 Good farameliiatigmtglpod tase,1signifi- Cant y more en 91 3D. 0011 r0 To Show i oulstandmg and sulPnsmsstablhFmg 6f 1.0 oz 1130 450 Good caramelization, perfect color, perfect accompllshed 1n accordance with the mventlon con- I I, fect taste, excellent tenderness. cept, a series of stability tests were performed on com- 1130 450 3821, g fg fg gg gggg f than positions containing the separate enzymes of the inventive concept in comparison with the inventive composi- Table VI] tron 1n the presence of a uniform amount of the stabilizer. l f b d b if In this series 0 tests steaks were treated as descri e a ove, ozen These data, reported in percent of original act1v1ty after and storedfor days prior to cooking] a stated time mterval, are set out in Table vIV below.

Table IV Amount of Cooking time I tenderizer Results [Stability at 60 0. (percent original activity)] 5 per gallon I of water At F.

Time (min) System (contains 5% lactose) None 11'30 450 Tough-undesirable.

0.5 oz 1130 450 Good caramelization, good taste, signifi- 0 10 20 30 cantly more tender than control.

1.0 oz 11'30 450 Good caramelization, perfect color, per- 60 feet taste, excellent tenderness. 100% bromelam 100 46.2 20.5 14.0 1.5 oz 11'30" 450 Overall excellence, more tender than 100% fungal protease 100 7. 1 0 0 above with no mushiness. 50% bromelain, 50% fungal protease..- 100 54. 6 36. 2 33. 6

To summarize briefly, this invention relates to meat The above data reflect the synergistic stabilizing effect tenderiZiIlg Compositions Showing unexpected utility and of the stabilizers of this invention upon the combination Stability Which comprise mixtures of two of more enzyme of the two enzyme systems. Whereas the lactose has no Systems having Particular activity toward different animal stabilizing effect upon the fungal protease system and very tissue fibers stabilized by a diluent selected from the group little on the bromelain, it has a very profound effect on a Consisting of laCtOSe, maltose, Sucrose, and glucose- The combination of both systems, preferred embodiment of the invention comprises formu- To illustrate the excellent meat tenderizing effect of IatiODS 0f Sufiicient bromelaifl to furnish, 011 a P y the compositions of this invention, a series of field trials sis, from 25% to of the total enzym activity, of the formulations were carried out as described below. suflicient fungal protease to supply from 75% to 25% Commercial grade bone-in-strip 10in from a ha d of the total activity, and sufiicient lactose to result in picked cheater, an undesirable beef animal, was used for a final formulation of from 8 to 12 Viscosity Units per 75 testing. The loin from this animal was cut into seaks gram, said percentage being of the total enzyme activity as assayed by the Standard Viscometric Assay Method.

What is claimed is:

1. A meat tenderizing composition which comprises in combination sufficient of an enzyme system having collagenase and elastase activity to furnish, on a potency basis, from 25% to 75% of the total enzyme activity, suflicient of an enzyme system having destructive activity on muscle fiber to supply from 75% to 25 of the total enzyme activity, and a diluent selected from the group consisting of lactose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose, said diluent serving to stabilize said enzyme systems against loss of activity due to elevated temperatures.

2. A meat tenderizing composition which comprises in combination suflicient bromelain to furnish, on a potency basis, from 25% to 75% of the total enzyme activity, sufficient fungal protease to supply from 75% to 25% of the total activity, and suificient diluent selected from the group consisting of lactose, glucose, maltose and sucrose to result in a final composition having a potency of from 8 to 12 viscosity units per gram, said percentage being of the total enzyme activity as assayed by the Standard Viscometric Assay method.

3. A meat tenderizing composition according to claim 2 wherein said diluent is lactose.

4. A meat tenderizing composition according to claim 2 wherein said diluent is glucose.

5. A meat tenderizing composition according to claim 2 wherein said diluent is maltose.

6. A meat tenderizing composition according to claim 2 wherein said diluent is sucrose.

7. A meat tenderizing composition comprising the following formulation:

Bromelain 5.2 gm. of 861 V.U.lgtn. potency. Fungal protease 48.2 gm. of 94.3 V.U./ gm. potency. Lactose 853.6 gm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,140,781 Allen Dec. 20, 1938 2,321,623 Ramsbottom et al June 15, 1943 2,471,282 Paddock May 24, 1949 2,805,163 Williams et a1. Sept. 3, 1957 2,825,654 Vaupel Mar. 4, 1958 

1. A MEAT TENDERIZING COMPOSITION WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION SUFFICIENT OF AN ENZYME SYSTEM HAVING COLLAGENASE AND ELASTASE ACTIVITY TO FURNISH, ON A POTENCY BASIS, FROM 25% TO 75% OF THE TOTAL ENZYME ACTIVITY SUFFICIENT OF AN ENZYME SYSTEM HAVING DESTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY ON MUSCLE FIBER TO SUPPLY FROM 75% TO 25% OF THE TOTAL ENZYME ACTIVITY, AND A DILUENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF LACTOSE, GLUCOSE, MALTOSE, AND SUCROSE, SAID DILUENT SERVING TO STABILIZE SAID ENZYME SYSTEMS AGAINST LOSS OF ACTIVITY DUE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. 